Electronic Wireless Show

It's a party podcast this week and you are all invited. Adam likes the shouting and panic of co-op chef game Overcooked. Alice enjoys throwing people around paddling pools in Jelly Stompers. And Brendan will always adore the playdough wrestlers of Gang Beasts. But it's also a minigame special. We've got two new quizzes. One called Pure Steamin' and the other called, er, Patch Alice. What a good party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen up, 2018! The team have a list of demands and they're not leaving until you've delivered. Or until the one hour playtime is up, whichever comes first. Adam wants more surprises and creativity from big developers, but also Pathologic 2. Alec desires something that will confound and delight him as much as Twin Peaks. And Brendan wants a large city to explore, maybe Cyberpunk 2077. Our listeners also shout their demands, making the list quite a long one. But you had better deliver, 2018. Or else. Links: Dead Cells was our game of the year: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/12/25/best-pc-games-of-2017/25/ Steam's 100 bestselling games of 2017: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/01/02/biggest-steam-games-2017/ Platinum self-publishing games of their own: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/01/03/platinumgames-self-publishing/ Have you played... Anatomy? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/10/23/have-you-played-anatomy/ The games that channel Twin Peaks: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/07/03/twin-peaks-games/ The Pathologic remake is called Pathologic 2 for some reason: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/31/pathologic-remake-renamed-pathologic-2/ Prey review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/09/prey-review/ Adam loves the skill trees of Kingdom Come: Deliverance: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/27/kingdom-come-deliverance-skill-trees/ The annual screening of Jaws on a lake in the US: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/this-is-surely-the-best-way-to-watch-jaws-10363456.html Have you played... Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/01/03/have-you-played-metal-gear-rising-revengeance/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The team discuss the worst games they've played in 2017. John thinks the misogyny of House Party puts it firmly in the bin, and Brendan is still wiping the red dust from his eyes after woeful survival game Rokh. But Matt can't bring himself to call any game terrible, not even Star Wars Battlefront 2. It's not all negative vibes, however. We've also been smiling at pretty and poignant Gorogoa, climbing a mountain in Getting Over It, and shooting our way through Destiny 2's Curse of Osiris expansion. Links: Edith Finch is good, actually: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/24/edith-finch-secret-stories/ Star Wars Battlefront 2 multiplayer review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/21/star-wars-battlefront-2-multiplayer-review/ Mass Effect Andromeda review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/03/20/mass-effect-andromeda-review/ Don't play Agents of Mayhem: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/15/agents-of-mayhem-review/ Or martian survival game Rokh: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/23/review-rokh-early-access/ Play Empyrion: Galactic Survival instead: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/10/10/empyrion-galactic-survival-review-early-access/ Podcast chat about Need For Speed Payback: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/16/podcast-star-wars-battlefront-2-and-need-for-speed-payback/ Consider not playing House Party: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/07/14/so-you-could-consider-maybe-not-playing-house-party/ Caveblazers is good, shame about the ending: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/31/caveblazers-review/ We took a real comedian to Comedy Night: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/12/04/ridealong-a-real-comedian-goes-to-comedy-night/ Beat Cop review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/03/28/beat-cop-review/ Ghost Recon Wildlands review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/03/10/ghost-recon-wildlands-review-pc/ Fortnite's 50 vs 50 mode is good, says Fraser: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/12/12/fortnite-battle-royales-new-mode-needs-to-be-a-fixture/ Gorogoa is magic, says John: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/12/12/gorogoa-review/ Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris trailer: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/12/01/destiny-2-curse-of-osiris-trailer/ Bungie admit Destiny 2 endgame was daft: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/12/12/bungie-admit-their-plans-arent-working-and-address-endgame-destiny-2-content-lockout/ Matt tries Getting Over It: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/12/07/getting-over-it-is-out-now-watch-me-flail-and-fail-in-it/ And so does Brendan: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/12/12/getting-over-it-with-matt-and-brendan/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pod squad chat about some of the most overlooked and underappreciated games of this year. Katharine thinks head-in-a-sack sim Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice might qualify, while Adam praises the unsettling tales of Stories Untold. Brendan just wants more people to slap in skinny biffing game Absolver. We've also been playing the magical realist family chronicle What Remains of Edith Finch and naval tactical battler Mare Nostrvm. Links: Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/12/hellblade-senuas-sacrifice-review/ Stories Untold review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/02/28/stories-untold-review/ The joy of Absolver's fight clubs: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/21/absolver-social-combat/ Absolver's most insulting move is a slap: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/11/absolver-slap-how-to-learn/ Get Even review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/30/get-even-review/ Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/07/26/zero-escape-zero-time-dilemma-review/ Tim looks at Mare Nostrvm: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/10/the-flare-path-never-mind-the-rollocks/ What Remains of Edith Finch review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/04/24/what-remains-of-edith-finch-review/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The team look at some upcoming games of 2018. Adam is looking forward to smashing big robots with other, bigger robots in Battletech. Matt wants to make trousers from dinosaur skin in Monster Hunter World. And Brendan forgot all about the surreal isometric detective game No Truce With The Furies. We've also got some chat about viking strategy Northgard and some more love for FTL follow-up Into The Breach. Plus, our quiz Patch Adam is back! Links: Surreal detective game No Truce With The Furies: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/02/13/no-truce-with-the-furies/ Turning dinos into pants in Monster Hunter World: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/01/monster-hunter-world-preview-pc/ Anthem looks borrrrring: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/11/anthem-e3-2017-reveal-trailer/ But Frostpunk looks good: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/26/frostpunk-preview-survival/ The Crew 2 is accidentally a transformers game: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/12/the-crew-2-e3-gameplay-trailer/ A road trip in The Crew: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/09/20/the-crew-free-road-trip/ Phoenix Point is XCOM man's new game: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/06/14/phoenix-point-new-xcom-julian-gollop/ Cyberpunk 2077 doesn't have a release date :( but looks good: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/10/06/cyberpunk-2077-release/ Civilization VI's Rise and Fall expansion is out next year: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/28/civilization-6-rise-and-fall-expansion-details/ Adam loves Kingdom Come: Deliverance's skill trees: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/27/kingdom-come-deliverance-skill-trees/ My Summer Car review (early access): https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/11/07/my-summer-car-early-access-review/ Into The Breach is ace, so say we all: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/27/into-the-breach-preview-tactics/ So is Northgard: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/02/27/northgard-review-early-access/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's talk about "running away". Ie. games that encourage you to flee from danger, rather than face it. Adam runs from the soldiers of ARMA. Brendan scarpers from poor odds in For Honor. And Alice only *pretends* to run away in Playerunknown's Battlegrounds. We also have some Quickfire Questions with Zach Barth of Zachtronics about their alchemy-based puzzler Opus Magnum. Links: How do Alien Isolation's lockers work? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/12/18/alien-isolation-lockers/ Overwatch's cowardly hacker, Sombra: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/11/04/overwatch-hero-sombra-finally-revealed-in-animation/ Outlast 2 review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/04/24/outlast-2-review/ Have you played... Metal Gear Solid V? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/20/have-you-played-metal-gear-solid-v-the-phantom-pain/ Have you played... Company of Heroes? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/03/28/have-you-played-company-of-heroes/ How Rimworld generates great stories: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/12/how-rimworld-generates-great-stories/ NEO Scavenger's scrappy, excellent combat: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/12/06/best-combat-2014-neo-scavenger/ Opus Magnum interview with Zach Barth (article): https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/22/opus-magnum-interview-zach-barth/ Opus Magnum interview with Zach Barth (podcast): https://soundcloud.com/rockpapershotgun/electronic-wireless-show-the-opus-magnum-interview Into The Breach is smart and tense: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/03/01/into-the-breach-details-preview/ Playerunknown's Battlegrounds adds vaulting to test servers: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/13/playerunknowns-battlegrounds-climbing-vaulting-on-test-servers-tonight/ Spelunky 2 is happening: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/30/spelunky-2-announced/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We like Opus Magnum, the new alchemy-based puzzler from Zachtronics. So we decided to have a chat with developer Zach Barth about it. We also talk to him about researching life in China, his short stint at Valve and the reasons he sold his studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The team have accidentally overdosed on EA games, and they don't like it. You could say they're in a ... critical condition! Ha ha ha. But seriously, don't buy the new Need For Speed. Links: Need For Speed Payback is really very terrible indeed: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/14/need-for-speed-payback-review/ ‘We don’t attempt to be too serious’, says Need For Speed developer: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/25/need-for-speed-payback-preview/ Have you played… Burnout Paradise? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/10/21/best-burnout-game/ EA respond to loot crate concerns: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/13/ea-respond-to-star-wars-battlefront-2-loot-crate-concerns/ Battlefront 2 cuts hero unlock costs: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/14/star-wars-battlefront-2-hero-unlock-costs-reduced/ For Honor ups steel rewards after threatened boycott: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/04/02/for-honor-update-increases-steel-rewards/ A Way Out, the co-op prison escape game: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/10/a-way-out-prison-game/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The team assemble to pass judgement on the latest shootwar, Call of Duty WWII. John says single player is better than usual and our multiplayer reviewer Matt says he misses the jetpacks. Meanwhile, Brendan has concocted a war-based quiz game. There's also time to horse around in the ancient Egypt of Assassin's Creed Origins, which has psychic eagles, glittering unicorns and a nice photography mode. Links: Call of Duty WWII single player review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/03/call-of-duty-ww2-review/ Call of Duty WWII multiplayer review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/08/call-of-duty-ww2-multiplayer-review/ Wolfenstein 2 review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/26/wolfenstein-2-the-new-colossus-review-pc/ Assassin's Creed: Origins review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/01/assassins-creed-origins-review-pc/ The photo mode is real good: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/11/02/assassins-creed-origins-photo-mode/ But the animals are weird: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/30/assassins-creed-origins-humanoid-animal-bug/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh no, Brendan is sick. That means there's no new episode this week. But we don't want to leave you hanging, so we've ventured down to the dusty audio archives and pulled out a recording of an old misadventure. Arma 3 is a realistic military sim. But one of its mods, Altis Life, is a strange world in which players become police officers, ambulance drivers and outlaws. In this Ridealong, Brendan joins one of the island's bandits on a cross-country jaunt that ends, unsurprisingly, in bloodshed. Links: A written version of the Arma 3 ridealong: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/10/16/altis-life-my-ridealong-with-a-rebel/ All our Ridealongs: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/tag/ridealong/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're talking guilty pleasures - the games that make us feel embarrassed but not so much that we won't play them to death. Alec feels a bit sheepish about American Truck Simulator, Matt remembers picking flax in a Runescape field, and Brendan attempts to explain the sea-based boredom of Sailaway. We've also been playing Opus Magnum, the alchemy puzzler from Zachtronics, in which we're struggling to make Viagra as fast as possible. Links: Assassin's Creed: Origins hands-on: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/23/assassins-creed-origins-preview/ Have you played... Runescape? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/10/09/have-you-played-runescape/ Have you played... Dofus? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/22/have-you-played-dofus/ Is Destiny 2's story fun junk or hot trash? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/24/is-destiny-2-story-any-good/ Sailing the Northwest Passage in Sailaway: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/04/sailing-sim-northwest-passage/ Alec's baffled office mates and American Truck Simulator: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/02/04/american-truck-simulator-review/ Opus Magnum's gorgeous alchemy machines: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/20/opus-magnum-alchemy-machines/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The gang talk about their worst nemeses from gaming. Dota 2 magicians, evil JRPG electricity corporations, and giant '@' symbols all deserve our animosity. But there's also the orcs of Middle-earth: Shadow of War, the ghosts of The Evil Within 2, and brutal robots of Tekken 7. We have enemies everywhere. Links: EA closing down Visceral Games: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/17/ea-to-close-dead-space-studio-visceral-in-development-star-wars-game-moving-to-vancouver/ ADOM is available on steam: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/11/18/adom-steam/ Middle-earth: Shadow of War review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/05/middle-earth-shadow-of-war-review/ In Shadow of War, revenge is sweet: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/12/middle-earth-shadow-of-war-revenge/ UK govt respond to loot crate questions: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/17/uk-government-responds-to-loot-box-questions-vaguely/ The Evil Within 2 review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/16/the-evil-within-2-review/ The weird Evil Within snail is creepy: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/17/the-evil-within-2-snail-logo/ Tekken 7's character customiser is cool: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/19/tekken-7-outfits/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The team talk about "binge" gaming, the grubbiest and unhealthiest form of digital entertainment. Adam has been gorging on Bungie's alien shootfest Destiny 2, along with Alec, who insists he will be going on a "controlled binge". Meanwhile, Brendan is slurping down Steamworld Dig 2, like a silky warm soup. Links: 1000 years of Football Manager: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/04/football-manager-1000-years-sheffield-united-burnley-chelsea Destiny 2's combat is a kinetic joy: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/19/destiny-2-singleplayer-preview-pc/ Destiny 2 on PC runs as smooth as butter: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/29/destiny-2-pc-performance/ Steamworld Dig 2 is a gentle jewel: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/tag/steamworld-dig-2/ Have You Played... AM2R? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/02/02/best-metroid-fan-game/ Fan made Metroid II remake shut down: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/09/metroid-ii-remake-goes-bye-bye/ Middle-earth: Shadow of War review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/05/middle-earth-shadow-of-war-review/ XCOM 2: War of the Chosen review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/24/xcom-2-war-of-the-chosen-review/ Sega's continuing their march into PC: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/23/sega-amplitude-pc-publisher/ Tekken 7 brings the fight to PC: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/02/tekken-7-released-on-pc/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The RPS team talk Things Going Wrong. Adam once accidentally murdered many more people than he intended in Dishonored 2, while Brendan threw a gun at a guard's head in Heat Signature, to no effect. John likes to "save scum", so he has none of these problems. We also talk about the Zelda-like Hob and the big ol' RPG of the season, Divinity: Original Sin 2. AND we've got quickfire questions for the lead writer of Total War: Warhammer II. Links: Dishonored: Death of the Outsider review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/20/dishonored-death-of-the-outsider-review-pc/ Heat Signature review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/26/heat-signature-review/ Divinity: Original Sin 2 review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/21/divinity-original-sin-2-review/ John's fave things about Divinity: Original Sin 2: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/22/divinity-original-sin-2-best-things/ Total War: Warhammer II review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/tag/total-war-warhammer-ii/ Total War's Warhammer expert on why we love Skaven: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/01/total-war-warhammer-ii-interview-skaven/ A free version of HyperRogue! http://roguetemple.com/z/hyper/download.php But you should buy it: http://store.steampowered.com/app/342610/HyperRogue/ Phogs is about two dogs with no bum: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/26/phogs-co-op-two-dogs-one-controller/ No Truce With The Furies looks good: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/02/13/no-truce-with-the-furies/ Hob review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/26/hob-review/ The RiME review that John forgot he did: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/01/rime-review/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're chatting roguelikes, roguelites, roguefites and roguelifes. None of these things mean anything. Pip is enjoying the blocky scampering of Rogue Islands, while Adam is fantasy-ing all over the RPG world of Divinity: Original Sin 2. Brendan is just sitting there feeling sad because PIP IS LEAVING US. Links: What is a roguelike? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/09/14/what-is-a-roguelike/ Roguelikes we've covered: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/tag/roguelike/ Delver review (early access): https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/11/21/premature-evaluation-delver/ Streets of Rogue review (early access): https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/03/14/streets-of-rogue-review-early-access/ Seven days of Rogue: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/03/20/the-many-faces-of-roguelikes-seven-days-of-rogue/ Rogue Islands review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/18/rogue-islands-review/ Divinity: Original Sin 2 verdict: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/15/divinity-original-sin-2-verdict/ Our readers' favourite roguelikes: https://twitter.com/rockpapershot/status/910431423823319040 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's an animal extravaganza! We're talking pets in games this week. Alice joins us to praise a terrible raccoon Pokémon who's great at surfing. Pip adores the ghostly holo-cat of Tacoma. But I prefer a cute xenomorph. We also talk about birdy meditation of Fugl, the ratty wars of strategy game Tooth and Tail, and the ever-popular man-murder of Playerunknown's Battlegrounds. On top of that, we confront the producer of The Sims 4 Cats and Dogs with some Quickfire Questions. Links: Have you played... Alien: Isolation? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/09/25/alien-isolation-game/ Cuteness overwhelming in Ooblets: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/02/22/cuteness-overwhelming-in-ooblets-trailer/ Animal Inspector is Papers Please with pets: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/06/16/free-3-our-final-batch-of-games-to-tide-you-over/ The Sims 4 Cats & Dogs expansion : https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/21/the-sims-4-cats-and-dogs-expansion-announced/ Firewatch features portable tortoise: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/06/16/firewatch-e3-2015-trailer-tortoise/ Turtle/tortoise nomenclature: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortoise#Use_of_the_terms_turtle.2C_tortoise.2C_and_terrapin Playerunknown's Battlegrounds gets foggy: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/08/playerunknowns-battlegrounds-adding-fog-map-mini-14-riffle/ Cute animals go to war in Tooth and Tail: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/13/tooth-and-tail-rts-released/ The swoopy bird-flying of Fugl: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/14/fugl-early-access-play/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The podgang love videogames so much they met up in *real life* to talk about them in a room. Pip likes the new teen angst drama Life Is Strange: Before the Storm, in which she's been talking back like a brat. Speaking of which, special guest Chris Bratt from Eurogamer joins us to talk about XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, because we're sick of Adam's face. Meanwhile, Brendan is getting slap-happy in brutal facepuncher Absolver. Links: XCOM 2: War of the Chosen review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/24/xcom-2-war-of-the-chosen-review/ Chris plays 80 minutes of XCOM 2: War of the Chosen with developer Jake Solomon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-ik5hH9gGU Adam is an Ironman idiot and XCOM proves it: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/04/xcom-2-ironman-2/ Life Is Strange: Before the Storm review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/31/life-is-strange-before-the-storm-episode-1-review/ 9 minutes of Life Is Strange: Before the Storm: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/04/life-is-strange-before-the-storm-video/ Absolver review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/09/05/absolver-review/ Absolver's insulting slap move: https://www.reddit.com/r/absolver/comments/6xln95/i_finally_did_it_i_got_the_slap_kill/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The gang are back from Gamescom and ready to CHAT HARD. Pip has been shooting aliens in the Destiny 2 beta, while Adam has been shooting other, slimier aliens in XCOM 2's massive War of the Chosen expansion. Brendan is the only one who's been hurting humans, punching and kicking them in multiplayer martial arts fighter Absolver. But he just lifts them off the floor afterwards. Links: Final Fantasy XV's director on Prompto: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/24/final-fantasy-xv-interview-hajime-tabata-director/ Cologne's cathedral which is identical to all others: https://twitter.com/Brendy_C/status/899667244229251072 Pip's Destiny 2 beta impressions: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/29/destiny-2-beta/ Destiny 2's graphics cards testathon: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/29/destiny-2-pc-performance/ XCOM 2: War of the Chosen review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/24/xcom-2-war-of-the-chosen-review/ One perfectly ridiculous turn in XCOM 2: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/29/xcom-2-war-of-the-chosen-single-turn/ Julian Gollop on Phoenix Point: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/04/25/phoenix-point-crowdfunding-interview/ Absolver review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/29/wot-i-think-absolver/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pip, Alice and Adam gather round the podfire for warmth to talk about the lies (told by Adam) of Gamescom, the chilly wastes of The Long Dark, the beautiful rain of Playerunknown's Battlegrounds, and the deadly climates of No Man's Sky. We then turn to you, to discuss reader's favourite in-game weather. And somewhere in the middle there's also a long discussion about karaoke, for some reason. Gamescom is like this: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/08/07/gamescom-2015-overview/ Artifact is a Dota card game: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/09/valve-announce-artifact-dota-2-card-game/ Pip reviewed The Long Dark ep 2: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/08/the-long-dark-episode-2-review/ Adam previewed Frostpunk: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/26/frostpunk-preview-survival/ More Plunkbat chat: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/07/25/the-tactics-and-tension-of-playerunknowns-battlegrounds/ Details of No Man's Sky's new update: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/11/no-mans-sky-atlas-rises/ The best 7/10s including Mad Max: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/04/best-average-action-games-on-pc/ Alice's mod readme Tumblr: http://readmedottxt.tumblr.com/ This is Adam Smith: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7488348.stm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Graham and Brendan man the podcast all by themselves. The topic: "What TV show deserves to have a good videogame adaptation?" Graham desires a road trip game based on anime Kino's Journey, whereas Brendan wants a cop management sim of The Wire. The listeners also have their say. But we've also been playing things. Limbo follow-up Inside gets the pair disagreeing over dark humour, while Brendan has been hunkering down in the sandbox multiplayer war-mongering of Foxhole. Links: Kino's Journey isn't like ordinary anime: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/01/11/kinos-journey-anime-review/ Impressions: This Is The Police: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/16/this-is-the-police-impressions/ The Moomins!?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utXbpKrWRBs The deliciously dark comedy of Inside: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/07/18/inside-meaning/ Fortnite review (early access): https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/08/fortnite-review-early-access/ MMO sandbox war Foxhole marches on early access: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/07/31/foxhole-released-on-steam-early-access/ Rock out with the Lonely Geologists: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/02/13/best-free-games-week-pc/ How to make a Great British Bake Off game: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/10/23/great-british-bake-off-game/ Deadly Premonition is the game worth saving from 2013: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/30/deadly-premonition-is-the-game-worth-saving-from-2013/ Readers reply with their TV show games: https://www.facebook.com/rockpapershot/photos/a.590931837659688.1073741826.176784995741043/1410460745706789/?type=3&theater Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're talking comfort games - things you play when you feel down, stressed or sick. Adam cosies up in his cottage in the Long Dark, Pip faffs around in Zelda, and Brendan renames characters in Final Fantasy IX. But we've also been playing Tacoma, the new spacewalking sci-fi tale from Fullbright, the creators of Gone Home. So we also do some Quickfire Questions with Karla Zimonja of that very studio, as well as looking at what YOU play as a comfort game. Links: The Long Dark is survival at its brutal best: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/01/09/the-long-dark-sandbox-review/ The Long Dark weather watching: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/03/the-long-dark-weather/ Have you played... Final Fantasy IX?: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/02/have-you-played-final-fantasy-ix/ Tacoma review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/01/tacoma-review/ Gone Home review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/08/15/wot-i-think-gone-home/ Bonbon on Itch.io: https://aethericgames.itch.io/bonbon Bonbonbonbons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NjTWvl8x-U Conduct sacrificial duties in the Shrouded Isle: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/10/09/conduct-mayoral-sacrificial-duties-in-the-shrouded-isle/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The gang are talking horror in games this week, though not necessarily "horror games". Adam and Brendan are scared witless of the depths of Subnautica, while Pip likes the water just fine. But we've been playing nice games too. Brendan has been scoring points in the purgatorial fantasy sport of Pyre, while Adam goes fishing in Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles. And Pip is dating dads in the queer utopian cul-de-sac of Dream Daddy. Links: The 25 best horror games on PC: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/07/27/best-horror-games/ Subnautica is secretly a brilliant horror game: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/02/24/subnautica-horror/ How do Alien Isolation's lockers work?: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/12/18/alien-isolation-lockers/ Outlast 2 review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/04/24/outlast-2-review/ Pyre's release trailer: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/07/26/pyre-released/ Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/07/20/yonder-the-cloud-catcher-chronicles-review/ Adam's wandering through Yonder: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/07/24/quest-in-peace-wandering-through-yonder/ Pip is the new Dream Daddy in town: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/07/25/dream-daddy-playthrough/ The terrifying "eagle" of text adventure Radical Castle: https://youtu.be/ssndEwLFAIA?t=1m11s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The RPS team gather to talk merch, and why it's often a bit rubbish. Pip will regale you with a story about a hidden dagger, while Adam has his own bloody airport tale. Brendan doesn't have any merch, because he THINKS HE'S TOO GOOD FOR IT THE SWINE. We've also played "transhumanist text adventure" Sun Dogs, in which we drink cocktails of bacteria and get swallowed up by solar flares between glimpsing beauty during our immortal post-human lives. Links: Sun Dogs: A transhumanist open world text adventure: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/08/26/sun-dogs-space-game/ Sun Dogs' expanding (and contracting) solar system: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/01/27/sun-dogs-game/ Word games: Failbetter's Black Crown: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/06/03/word-games-failbetters-black-crown/ The creator of Black Crown writes about the game: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/11/03/i-did-a-thing-on-a-hill/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The RPS team talk "replayability". Why do we always go back to our comfort games? What makes something replayable? How many hours does Adam have in Crusader Kings II? (hint: a lot) Meanwhile, Pip tries to cultivate the excrement of colourful monsters in Slime Rancher, Adam's cowardice is unassailable in Playerunknown's Battlegrounds, and Brendan is sneaking around stabbing cards with other cards in Elder Scrolls: Legends. Links: Elder Scrolls Daggerfall retrospective: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/31/elder-scrolls-daggerfall-retrospective/ Firewatch adds 'free roam' mode: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/11/10/firewatch-free-roam-mode-pc/ The butterflies of Firewatch: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/07/22/firewatch-butterflies/ How a cargo plane sets Battlegrounds up for greatness: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/30/how-a-cargo-plane-sets-up-playerunknowns-battlegrounds-for-greatness/ Slime Rancher leaving early access in August: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/20/slime-rancher-release-date/ The Elder Scrolls: Legends gets Skyrim expansion: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/13/the-elder-scrolls-legends-heroes-of-skyrim-expansion/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pip, Adam and Brendan gather to talk about the gossip from Barcelona's Gamelab, including tales from a RiME developer and the creator of the Cyberpunk 2020 pen and paper RPG. We've also been falling off airships thanks to poor grappling hook skills in sandbox MMO Worlds Adrift. As a treat, there's also an especially tough edition of our patch notes quiz, Patch Adam, and we answer some reader's questions about good camera tricks in games and the upcoming Autumn deluge. Links: RiME review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/01/rime-review/ What Cyberpunk 2020 can tell us about Cyberpunk 2077: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/05/what-the-cyberpunk-2020-rpg-can-tell-us-about-cyberpunk-2077/ Prey director Raphael Colantonio's reasons for leaving: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/30/arkanes-founder-on-why-hes-ready-to-leave-prey-devs/ How Raphael Colantonio coined the phrase "press sneak fucks": https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/08/15/arkane-making-prey-2/ Randy Pitchford's confusing tweet: https://twitter.com/duvalmagic/status/486550022910005248?lang=en Worlds Adrift early access review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/07/04/worlds-adrift-review-early-access/ Path of Exile: Fall of Oriath expansion starts July: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/11/path-of-exile-the-fall-of-oriath-beta/ Path of Exile review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/04/15/wot-i-think-path-of-exile/ Horror FPS Get Even review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/30/get-even-review/ Dead Cells interview in podcast episode 6: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/29/podcast-the-electronic-wireless-show-6/ Nier: Automata review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/03/20/nier-automata-review/ Abzu review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/02/abzu-review-pc/ Abzu screenshot gallery: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/11/abzu-screenshots/ Become an astro-detective in 2000:1 A Space Felony: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/07/04/become-an-astro-detective-in-20001-a-space-felony/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The RPS team talk about the Steam summer sale and their respective piles of shame. Our editor Graham joins us to talk about his spelunking in Caveblazers, while Pip takes on the free-to-play Orcs Must Die! Unchained and Brendan is still trying to finish the Witcher 3. What? Also featuring a big interview with the creators of Dead Cells, the popular and slash-happy "roguevania". Plus, some reader's questions and BRAND NEW JINGLES. Links and info: Our giant Steam sale recommendation list: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/23/steam-summer-sale-our-giant-recommendations-list/ The joy of the Witcher 3's great outdoors: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/16/the-joy-of-the-witcher-3s-great-outdoors/ Caveblazers: an interesting contrast to Spelunky: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/07/caveblazers-is-an-interesting-contrast-to-spelunky/ Life of Tar's journey through prehistory: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/28/life-of-tar/ Orcs Must Die! Unchained beta preview: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/10/07/orcs-must-die-unchained-beta/ Orcs Must Die! Unchained returns to PvE: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/12/13/orcs-must-die-unchained-pvp-removed/ Dead Cells review (early access): https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/16/dead-cells-review-early-access/ Our EVE Online coverage: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/tag/eve-online/ Quadrilateral Cowboy review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/07/27/quadrilateral-cowboy-review/ Have you played... Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/11/13/have-you-played-brothers-a-tale-of-two-sons/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam of the RPS podcast crew returns from E3 and we interrogate him about the games he's played, including Destiny 2, Frostpunk and Middle Earth: Shadow of War. We've also had time to play blood-spattered expansion for Darkest Dungeon and dusty survival RPG Kenshi, as well as catch up on sad GTA V news. On top of that, we see the return of our patch notes quiz, Patch Adam! This time: Dwarf Fortress. Links: Frostpunk’s steamy city in the snow teased: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/04/11/frostpunks-steamy-city-in-the-snow-teased/ Destiny 2’s combat is punchy, kinetic joy: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/19/destiny-2-singleplayer-preview-pc/ Middle Earth: Shadow of War casts a shadow over the open world genre: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/12/mordor-casts-a-shadow-over-the-open-world-genre/ GTA V modding tool OpenIV shut down by legal threat: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/15/grand-theft-auto-iv-mod-tool-openiv-shut-down/ Darkest Dungeon: The Crimson Court expansion released: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/19/darkest-dungeon-the-crimson-court-released/ Darkest Dungeon review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/01/25/darkest-dungeon-review/ Premature Evaluation: Kenshi: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/20/kenshi-review-early-access/ Dwarf Fortress patch notes: http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/ Every PC game announced or trailered at E3: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/13/e3-2017-pc-games/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We take on the tidal wave of news from E3 to talk about Beyond Good and Evil 2, Life Is Strange: Before the Storm, Anthem, Sea of Thieves, Wolfenstein 2 and much more. We've so much news that we need our news editor Alice to come on and help us in this extra-long special episode. We also (somehow) had time to play battle royale murder sim PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, arcadey sci-fi dogfighter Everspace, and Football Manager 2017. Links: Life Is Strange: Before the Storm trailer: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/12/life-is-strange-2-release-date/ Life Is Strange voice actor changed because of strike: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/13/life-is-strange-before-the-storm-different-chloe-voice-actor/ Beyond Good and Evil 2 announcement trailer: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/12/beyond-good-and-evil-2-is-online-world-of-space-pirates/ Sea of Thieves co-op trailer: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/13/sea-of-thieves-storms-skeletons-and-treasure-hunting/ Sailing the Northwest Passage in a sailing sim: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/02/northwest-passages-sailing-into-terror-bay/ BioWare’s new online sci-fi game Anthem: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/11/anthem-e3-2017-reveal-trailer/ XCOM: War of the Chosen trailer: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/12/xcom-2-war-of-the-chosen/ The Evil Within 2 trailer is pure dad schlock: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/13/the-evil-within-2-gameplay-trailer/ The tension and elation of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/02/the-tension-elation-of-playerunknowns-battlegrounds/ Football Manager pass and save diary, part one: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/09/football-manager-2017-lets-play/ Everspace early access review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/09/19/everspace-review-early-access/ Every PC game announced or trailered at E3: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/13/e3-2017-pc-games/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pip, Adam and Brendan talk about sun-drenched platformer RiME, imperial strategy Endless Space 2 and some of the best board games from the UK Games Expo. Also featuring: Quickfire Questions with Scott Benson of Night in the Woods, walking sim meets rudimentary shooter, OrbLands, and some of the best games of the year so far, as suggested by readers. Links: The top bestest best games of 2017 so far: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/06/best-pc-games-2017/ Endless Space 2 review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/18/endless-space-2-review/ Rime review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/01/rime-review/ UK Games Expo: https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/ OrbLands video: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/04/20/orblands/ Night in the Woods review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/02/27/night-in-the-woods-review/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pip, Adam and Brendan talk about their E3 expectations, the multiplayer slasher Friday the 13th, Witcher card game Gwent and mathematical puzzler CrossCells. Also featuring Patch Adam, in which we jumble fake patch notes into a pile of real ones and ask Adam to guess which are true and which are false. This week: Crusader Kings 2! Links: Friday the 13th review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/26/friday-the-13th-game-review-in-progress/ CrossCells review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/26/crosscells-review/ Gwent preview: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/11/01/gwent-beta-review/ Ubisoft's new "ice cream": http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-05-31-ubisoft-has-a-new-logo Crusader Kings 2 patch notes: https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/ck2-dev-diary-48-2-7-1-patch-notes.1008864/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Electronic Wireless Show makes a triumphant return! Pip, Adam and Brendan talk about Far Cry 5's "Last Supper" image, the layoffs at Hitman developer IO Interactive, and the peaceful jaunt of Old Man's Journey. Also featuring Quickfire Questions with one of the developers of survival platformer Rain World. Click "show more" for links and info! Far Cry 5's "Last Supper" art: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/22/far-cry-5-set-in-montana/ Far Cry 5 trailers and info: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/26/far-cry-5-trailer-details/ Layoffs at Hitman devs IO as Square Enix ditch studio: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/23/hitman-developer-layoffs/ Rain World review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/03/27/rain-world-review/ Prey review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/09/prey-review/ Old Man's journey review: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/18/old-mans-journey-review/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We chat to the creators of Hyper Light Drifter and Virginia about how to tell a story with no words Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have the makers of Ladykiller in a Bind and One Night Stand on to talk about sex in games and why it is usually so bad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This time we host the creators of Orwell and 1979 Revolution: Black Friday and talk to them about politics in games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We gather the creators of Duskers, Event[0] and Quadrilateral Cowboy to talk about science fiction in games and the joy of pressing buttons on old machines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices